Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:24 pm
It is curious that the instructions do not provide for placarding the receptacle "Inop".
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Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
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Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:21 am
I would install the circuit breaker and get the cigar lighter working, you're going to need it for the portable GPS or some other device down the road. You could even light up a cigar.
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:42 am
Put a "Wilkie Plug" in the hole and tell the FAA guy... AD complied with....... end of story!
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:56 am
Richard is absolutely correct! I keep a small rechargeable flashlite plugged into mine. It not only serves as a quick-draw flashlite for cockpit use, it also has a red LED charging-indicator that doubles as a "Master-Switch-Activated" indicator.
They sell for less than $5 in the automotive departments of most stores, but finding one that cheap on-line can be a little tricky. Here's one that'll run you about $20:
http://toolmonger.com/category/85/flashlights/
Cigar lighter receptacles are also useful for running my air-mattress inflator when we go camping, ...they sell for $5 - $15 and are available at WalMart, Academy, ACE hardware, etc. .... and the aircraft battery has never had a problem pumping up two mattresses, deflating them, plus various other uses on a trip and still staring the engine when it's time to come home.
I also use the receptacle for running my cell-phone charger.
Here's what a typical pump looks like:
They sell for less than $5 in the automotive departments of most stores, but finding one that cheap on-line can be a little tricky. Here's one that'll run you about $20:
http://toolmonger.com/category/85/flashlights/
Cigar lighter receptacles are also useful for running my air-mattress inflator when we go camping, ...they sell for $5 - $15 and are available at WalMart, Academy, ACE hardware, etc. .... and the aircraft battery has never had a problem pumping up two mattresses, deflating them, plus various other uses on a trip and still staring the engine when it's time to come home.
I also use the receptacle for running my cell-phone charger.
Here's what a typical pump looks like:
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:07 am
If that FAA bozo will not approve an empty hole....... he sure as hell will not approve a recepticle from an automotive store!
"Cigar lighter receptacles are also useful for running my air-mattress inflator when we go camping, ...they sell for $5 - $15 and are available at WalMart, Academy, ACE hardware, etc."
Now you know why I have such a low opinion of FAA personel!
They have stiffled the growth of aviation.
And that is just my opinion, based upon other dealings with the FISDO here in HIO!
"Cigar lighter receptacles are also useful for running my air-mattress inflator when we go camping, ...they sell for $5 - $15 and are available at WalMart, Academy, ACE hardware, etc."
Now you know why I have such a low opinion of FAA personel!
They have stiffled the growth of aviation.
And that is just my opinion, based upon other dealings with the FISDO here in HIO!
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:57 pm
I was not recommending a cigar lighter receptacle from WalMart, Academy or Ace Hardware. I was recommending an AIR MATTRESS INFLATOR. (But I can't imagine any inspector condemning a marine (the best kind) or automotive cigar lighter receptacle, as long as it uses MIl-spec wire.)Showboatsix wrote:If that FAA bozo will not approve an empty hole....... he sure as hell will not approve a recepticle from an automotive store!
"Cigar lighter receptacles are also useful for running my air-mattress inflator when we go camping, ...they sell for $5 - $15 and are available at WalMart, Academy, ACE hardware, etc."
Now you know why I have such a low opinion of FAA personel!
They have stiffled the growth of aviation.
And that is just my opinion, based upon other dealings with the FISDO here in HIO!
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:32 pm
After reading this from the FAA my guess is that since the "hole" is illegal...... based upon this FAA Document..... anthing you put in the "hole" would also be illegal.
Subject: Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts
Date: 7/22/08
Initiated by: AFS-350
AC No: 21-29C
Change: 1
1. PURPOSE.
This advisory circular (AC) provides updated information and guidance to the aviation community for detecting suspected unapproved parts (SUP) and reporting them to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Appendix 1 contains FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Reports, which serves as a standardized means of reporting.
http://pamablog.typepad.com/pama/files/ac_2129c_chg.pdf
Subject: Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts
Date: 7/22/08
Initiated by: AFS-350
AC No: 21-29C
Change: 1
1. PURPOSE.
This advisory circular (AC) provides updated information and guidance to the aviation community for detecting suspected unapproved parts (SUP) and reporting them to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Appendix 1 contains FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Reports, which serves as a standardized means of reporting.
http://pamablog.typepad.com/pama/files/ac_2129c_chg.pdf
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:27 am
Unless I'm missing something, 3.b.(9) of the above AC No: 21-29C indicates any part I make myself to maintain or alter my airplane is approved. And 3.b.(11) indicates a part made by any qualified person to return my plane to service is also approved.
Re: Searching for a Cigarette Lighter
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:01 pm
There are many examples of parts that are "unapproved" yet perfectly legal to install in aircraft. The AC is referring to replacement parts that are substituted for original equipment. Technically, a cigar lighter selected by Cessna will meet Cessna's quality control and will be supplied by a vendor who will offer some assurance that no design change will occur without notice.
A cigar lighter purchased at the chineese tool store may not have a phenolic insulator in it... it's insulator may be made of plastic which, if it were to melt, might cause a dangerous short. Therefore a genuine Cessna cigar lighter receptacle should be replaced with an identical part. Or it may be replaced with an "owner produced" part. In the case of the latter, the owner must participate in the mfr of that part either by specifying it's design, or by participating in it's quality-control during mfr.
I believe it's possible to purchase individual components of such a low-tech item (perhaps they may already be assembled...and need disassembly to inspect individual components which I intend to use in mfr'g a part for my airplane), and assemble them myself (having inspected and assured myself the assembly meets the necessary design, function, and materials of the original part) and install it as an owner-produced part. (As opposed to simply taking the chineese part and sticking it in the airplane without further ado.) I would generate and keep the necessary documents, if any, to attest to my making of that part. (Photos and receipts for source mat'ls, just like any mfr'r would.)
I do not have the specifications, expertise, or materials to do the same with a landing gear spring, therefore I purchase that item from a vendor who can provide the necessary traceability and airworthiness documentation to meet the rule for installation on a certificated airplane.
A cigar lighter purchased at the chineese tool store may not have a phenolic insulator in it... it's insulator may be made of plastic which, if it were to melt, might cause a dangerous short. Therefore a genuine Cessna cigar lighter receptacle should be replaced with an identical part. Or it may be replaced with an "owner produced" part. In the case of the latter, the owner must participate in the mfr of that part either by specifying it's design, or by participating in it's quality-control during mfr.
I believe it's possible to purchase individual components of such a low-tech item (perhaps they may already be assembled...and need disassembly to inspect individual components which I intend to use in mfr'g a part for my airplane), and assemble them myself (having inspected and assured myself the assembly meets the necessary design, function, and materials of the original part) and install it as an owner-produced part. (As opposed to simply taking the chineese part and sticking it in the airplane without further ado.) I would generate and keep the necessary documents, if any, to attest to my making of that part. (Photos and receipts for source mat'ls, just like any mfr'r would.)
I do not have the specifications, expertise, or materials to do the same with a landing gear spring, therefore I purchase that item from a vendor who can provide the necessary traceability and airworthiness documentation to meet the rule for installation on a certificated airplane.